Identifying and managing hepatitis C in the community

Liver disease is one of the main causes of death in the UK and hepatitis C is a major factor in its increase. Jayne Wilkie describes how an experimental nurse-led service in Liverpool has reduced hospitalisation

Brownlow Health is an inner-city practice in Liverpool. It has a high homeless population of whom many are hepatitis C-positive. In 2009 the practice employed a nurse to offer a novel service to screen for hepatitis C. This article discusses how the service has evolved and the barriers that have been overcome to make it a success. It also raises the issue of hepatitis C in public health terms, highlighting the potentially catastrophic impact on the NHS if the incidence of hepatitis C continues to be ignored by clinicians in the community. The article aims to inform readers about the treatment of hepatitis C from a nursing and patient perspective.